System power management using communication bus protocols

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of an apparatus and method are disclosed that may allow for managing power of a computing system. The apparatus may include a clock generation circuit, a bus interface unit, and a control circuit. The clock generation circuit may be configured to generate multiple clock signals. Each clock signal may provide a timing reference to different functional blocks within a device coupled to the communication bus. The bus interface unit may be configured to receive messages from the device via the communication bus. The messages may include a latency value and a request to activate a low power mode. The control circuit may be configured to deactivate one or more of the multiple clock signals dependent upon the latency value and multiple threshold values.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/032,335, titled “SYSTEM POWER MANAGEMENT USING COMMUNICATION BUSPROTOCOLS” and filed on Sep. 20, 2013 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forthherein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The embodiments described herein relate to the field of power managementin computing systems, and more particularly system clock gatingtechniques.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computing systems typically include a number of interconnectedintegrated circuits or devices. In some cases, the integrated circuitsmay communicate through parallel interfaces, which simultaneouslycommunicate multiple bits of data. In other cases, the integratedcircuits may employ a serial interface, which sequentially communicatesone bit of data at a time. For both parallel and serial interfaces,communicated data may be differentially encoded.

In some cases, the integrated circuits or devices within a computingsystem may communicate over the serial or parallel interfaces using oneof various communication protocols. Such protocols may allow for thetransmission of messages between various components of the computingsystem in addition to the transmission of data. The transmitted messagesmay include reports of levels of activity, requests for specific modesof operation, and the like.

During operation of a computing system, some components of the computingsystem may experience periods of time of limited or no use. Such periodsof limited use may be used to conserve or reduce power by disablingportions of circuitry associated with an idle component. For example,circuits relating to the transmission of data on a communication bus(commonly referred to as “interface circuits,” “physical layercircuits,” or “PHYs”) may be disabled to reduce the power consumed thecomputing system.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for managing power of acomputing system are disclosed. Broadly speaking, an apparatus andmethod are contemplated in which a clock generation circuit may beconfigured to generate first and second clock signals. The first clocksignal may provide a timing reference to an interface unit of a device,and the second clock signal may provide a timing reference to one ormore logic blocks of the device. A bus interface unit coupled to acommunication bus may be configured to receive a message and a requestsignal from the device. The message may include a latency value. Acontrol circuit may be configured deactivate the first clock signal inresponse to a determination that the latency value is greater than afirst threshold value and less than a second threshold value, anddeactivate the first clock signal and the second clock signal responsiveto a determination that the latency value is greater than the secondthreshold value.

In one embodiment, the latency value may include a latency number and ascale factor. In a further embodiment, the control circuit may befurther configured to multiply the latency number by the scale factor.

In a specific embodiment, the control circuit may be further configuredsend an acknowledge signal to the device responsive dependent upon acomparison of the latency value to the first threshold value and thesecond threshold value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description makes reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which are now briefly described.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a computing system.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a computing system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of two components of a computing systemtransmitting packets via a communication bus.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment register configured to store latencyinformation.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment another embodiment of two components ofa computing system.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a methodactivating low power modes.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to theparticular form illustrated, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description. Asused throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissivesense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatorysense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include,” “including,”and “includes” mean including, but not limited to.

Various units, circuits, or other components may be described as“configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configuredto” is a broad recitation of structure generally meaning “havingcircuitry that” performs the task or tasks during operation. As such,the unit/circuit/component can be configured to perform the task evenwhen the unit/circuit/component is not currently on. In general, thecircuitry that forms the structure corresponding to “configured to” mayinclude hardware circuits. Similarly, various units/circuits/componentsmay be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in thedescription. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including thephrase “configured to.” Reciting a unit/circuit/component that isconfigured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not toinvoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph six interpretation for thatunit/circuit/component. More generally, the recitation of any element isexpressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph sixinterpretation for that element unless the language “means for” or “stepfor” is specifically recited.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A computing system may include one or more integrated circuits orcomponents, such as, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU). Each one ofthe integrated circuits may communicate through either a serial orparallel interface. In a parallel interface, multiple data bits arecommunicated simultaneously, while in a serial interface, data iscommunicated as a series of sequential single data bits. A serial orparallel interface may employ one of various communication protocolsthat allow the transmission of data and messages between the variousintegrated circuits of the computing system.

Various components of a computing system may experience periods ofinactivity during the course of operating the computing system. Duringsuch periods of inactivity, portions of the inactive components may bedisabled or deactivated in order place the inactive component into a lowpower mode, thereby be reducing the power consumption of the computingsystem. In particular, circuits that consume DC power, such as, e.g.,analog amplifiers with included bias circuits, may be disabled. Suchcircuits, however, may take a period of time before being ready to useonce re-enabled. The period of time required by a component to resumeoperation is commonly referred to as “latency.”

In some computing system, components may communicate their latency toresume powered operation, thereby allowing the computing system todecide if powering down a given component is possible. For example, anindividual component may not have knowledge of future instructions ortasks to be performed, and, therefore, cannot make an informed decisionas to whether activate a low power mode. Other components in thecomputing system, however, may have knowledge of further instructions ortasks to be performed and may assist in determining if a power savingsis acceptable in light of the latency required to return component(s) ina low power mode to an fully powered state.

In some situations, however, only selected portions of a component ofthe computing system may be deactivated upon entry into a low powermode, thereby limiting the potential power savings. The embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and described below may provide techniquesfor allowing additional power savings within a computing system.

A block diagram of a computing system is illustrated in FIG. 1. In theillustrated embodiment, the computing system 100 includes a CPU 101coupled to Random Access Memory (RAM) 102, Read-only Memory (ROM) 103,and display adapter 104. CPU 101 is additionally coupled to input/output(I/O) adapter 105, user interface adapter 106, and communicationsadapter 107. In various embodiments, computing system 100 may beconfigured as a desktop system, a laptop system, or in any suitable formfactor.

RAM 102 may include any suitable type of memory, such as Fully BufferedDual Inline Memory Module (FB-DIMM), Double Data Rate or Double DataRate 2 Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDR/DDR2 SDRAM), orRambus® DRAM (RDRAM®), for example. It is noted that although one RAM isshown, in various embodiments, any suitable number of RAMs may beemployed.

CPU 101 may implement any suitable instruction set architecture (ISA),such as, e.g., the ARM™, PowerPC™, or x86 ISAs, or combination thereof.In some embodiments, CPU 101 may include one or more processor coresconfigured to implement one of the aforementioned ISAs. CPU 101 may alsoinclude one or more cache memories which may be configured to storeinstructions and/or data during operation. In other embodiments, CPU 101may include power management unit 110 which may be configured to processand manage requests for changes in the power status of system 100. Forexample, power management unit 110 may respond to a system request forentry into sleep mode by generating a sleep mode signal that may causeportions of CPU 101, such as bus transceiver unit 109, for example, topower down. In some embodiments, power management unit 110 maycoordinate the orderly power up of CPU 101 by generating one or morepower up signals each of which may activate a different portion of thecircuits within CPU 101.

CPU 101 may include one or more bus transceiver units 109 that allow CPU101 to connect to bus 108. In some embodiments, bus 108 may be ahigh-speed serial interface that may conform to an industry standardspecification, such as, e.g., PCI Express™, or MIPI Physical Layer. Insome embodiments, the various circuits block, such as, e.g., CPU 101,may be coupled to bus 108 through a capacitor (this is commonly referredto as being “AC coupled”).

ROM 103 may be configured to store instructions to be executed by CPU101. In some embodiments, ROM 103 may store instructions necessary forinitial boot-up and configuration of CPU 101. The stored instructionsmay include, in some embodiments, instructions to perform a power-onself-test (POST) that may allow CPU 101 to test embedded cache memoriesand other circuit blocks that may reside on CPU 101. In someembodiments, ROM 103 may be mask-programmable using a metal,polysilicon, contact, implant, or any suitable mask layer available on asemiconductor manufacturing process.

I/O adapter 105 may be configured to coordinate data transfer betweenCPU 101 and one or more peripheral devices. Such peripheral devices mayinclude, without limitation, storage devices (e.g., magnetic or opticalmedia-based storage devices including hard drives, tape drives, CDdrives, DVD drives, etc.), audio processing subsystems, or any othersuitable type of peripheral devices. In some embodiments, I/O adapter105 may be configured to implement a version of Universal Serial Bus(USB) protocol or IEEE 1394 (Firewire®) protocol.

Communication adapter 107 may be configured to coordinate data transferbetween CPU 101 and one or more devices (e.g., other computer systems)coupled to

CPU 101 via a network. In one embodiment, communication adapter 107 maybe configured to perform the data processing necessary to implement anEthernet (IEEE 802.3) networking standard such as Gigabit Ethernet or10-Gigabit Ethernet, for example, although it is contemplated that anysuitable networking standard may be implemented. In some embodiments,communication adapter 107 may be configured to implement multiplediscrete network interface ports.

User interface adapter 106 may be configured to transfer data betweenone or more peripheral devices configured to input data into computingsystem 100. In one embodiment, user interface adapter 106 may receiveinput from a keyboard and transfer the data to CPU 101. In otherembodiments, user interface adapter 106 may receive and format data froma mouse or other suitable pointing device.

Display adapter 104 may be configured to transfer and format data frombetween CPU 101 and a display screen. In some embodiments, displayadapter 104 may be configured to implement a display standard such asSuper-VGA or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). In otherembodiments, display adapter 104 may be configured to implement multipledisplay interfaces.

It is noted that the computing system illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely anexample. In other embodiments, different components and differentnumbers of communication busses may be employed.

Turning to FIG. 2, another embodiment of a computing system isillustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, computing system 200includes processor 201, bridge unit 202, memory 204, device 203, switchunit 205, and devices 206 through 208. Processor 201 includes register209 which may, in various embodiments, be accessed in response toprogram instructions stored in memory 204, or other memory or storagedevice (not shown), and executed by process 201. In some embodiments,executed program instructions may store one or more data bits intoregister 209, and the stored data bits may be employed by processor 201in determining one or more system settings, such as, e.g., latencythresholds.

It is noted that registers such as those shown and described herein, maybe particular embodiments of a storage circuit configured to store oneor more data bits. Registers may be design in accordance with variousdesign styles, and may include one or more latches, flip-flops, or anyother suitable storage circuit.

Devices 203, 206, 207, and 208 may, in various embodiments,corresponding to any of components 102 through 107 of computing system100 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, communication bussesmay terminate at devices 203, 206, 207 and 208. In such cases, devices203, 206, 207, and 208 may be referred to as “endpoints” or “endpointdevices.”

Processor 201 is coupled to bridge unit 202 via communication bus 210.Bridge unit 210 is coupled to memory 204, device 203, and switch unit205 via communication busses 213, 212, and 211, respectively. In variousembodiments, each of communication busses 210, 211, 212, and 213 mayeach employ a different communication protocol. Bridge unit 202 may, insome embodiment, translate one communication protocol to another. Forexample, bridge unit 202 may translate requests made by processor 201using the communication protocol employed on communication bus 210 tothe communication protocol employed on communication bus 213.

Switch unit 205 may, in various embodiments, direct messages sent byprocessor 201 through bridge unit 202 to one of devices 206, 207, and208. In some embodiments, switch unit 205 may also steer any responsesfrom devices 206, 207, and 208 back to bridge unit 202.

During operation, one or more transactions, i.e., a request and anaccompanying reply, may be transmitted between different components ofsystem 200. For example, processor 201 may request values stored inmemory 202, and in response to the request memory 202 may send therequested data back to processor 201 via communication busses 213 and210. In some embodiments, different transactions may exist on acommunication bus in parallel. While the initiator of a request, suchas, e.g., processor 201, is awaiting a response to a request, theinitiator may receive a response to a previous request, or transmit anew request.

Individual devices, such as, e.g., device 203, may monitor theirrespective levels of activity. During periods of inactivity, a devicemay signal a host device, such as, e.g., processor 201, that the deviceis idle and may request of the host device to activate a low power mode.The host device may, in various embodiments, be monitoring overallsystem activity, and may response to the request for activation of thelow power mode. Individual devices may also transmit informationregarding device configuration settings.

It is noted that the computing system illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely anexample. In other embodiments, different numbers of communication bussesand different communication protocols are possible and contemplated.

Another embodiment of a computing system is illustrated in FIG. 3. Inthe illustrated, computing system 300 includes host device 301 andendpoint device 302. In some embodiments, host device 301 may correspondto processor 201 as depicted in FIG. 2, and endpoint device 302 maycorrespond to any devices 206, 207, 208 and 203 as illustrated in FIG.2. Host device 301 is coupled to endpoint device 302 via communicationbusses 303 and 304. Although a single wire is depicted for each ofcommunication busses 303 and 304, in other embodiments, differentnumbers of wires may be employed. Communication bus 303 andcommunication bus 304 may, in various embodiments, employ any one ofnumerous communication protocols.

In some embodiments, endpoint device 302 may send message 306 to hostdevice 301 via communication bus 304. Message 306 may include one ormore packets of data, and may be encoded in a manner consistent with thecommunication protocol being employed by communication bus 304. Invarious embodiments, message 306 may include data in response to arequest from host device 301, configuration information detailingcapabilities of endpoint device 302, operational information regardingendpoint device 302, or any other suitable information. Operationalinformation may, in some embodiments, include information regarding anactivity level of the endpoint device 302, or latency informationindicating how long endpoint device 302 will require to upon exiting alow power mode before the device is ready to perform its function.

Endpoint device 301 may, in various embodiments, signal a request tohost device 301 using signal wire 307. In some embodiments, the requestmay include a request to enter a low power mode. Although a singlesignal wire is depicted in computing system 300, it is noted that invarious embodiments, different numbers of signal wires may be employed.Such wires may, in other embodiments, be used to indicate specificconditions and requests between host device 301 and endpoint device 302.

Host device 301 may send message 305 to endpoint device 302 viacommunication bus 303. As described above in regarding to message 306,message 305 may be encoded using the communication protocol employed bycommunication bus 303. Message 305 may, in various embodiments, includedata or instructions to be sent to endpoint device 302, or variousresponses to message 306 received by host device 305. For example,message 306 may include a request for endpoint device 302 to enter a lowpower mode, and message 305 may include an acknowledgment of therequest. In some embodiments, host device 301 may check variousparameters, such as, e.g., pending instructions and tasks, beforeacknowledging the request for activation of the low power mode ofendpoint device 302. Dependent upon the checked parameters, host device301 may not acknowledge the request to activate the low power mode, inwhich case, endpoint device 302 may continue in normal operation.

As will be described below in more detail, a low power mode of endpointdevice 302 may include disabling one or more functional blocks withinendpoint device 302. For example, in some embodiments, internal clocksignals to one or more functional blocks not currently be used, may bestopped, thereby saving dynamic switching power associated with theclocks and the functional blocks. In other embodiments, power suppliesinternal to endpoint device 302 may be set to a low voltage level orground potential thereby saving leakage power associated with the one ormore functional blocks within endpoint device 302.

Although only two devices are depicted in FIG. 3, it is noted that, inother embodiments, different numbers of devices may be employed. It isfurther noted that different numbers of communication busses may also beemployed.

Turning to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a register configured to storelatency information is illustrated. In some embodiments, register 400may correspond to register 209 of processor 201 as illustrated in FIG. 2and may be configured to store information relating a latency thresholdvalue. Register 400 may in some embodiments include a 16-bits of data,and the Least-Significant-Bit (LSB) of the register may the “right-most”bit of the register, and the Most-Significant-Bit (MSB) of the registermay be the “left-most” bit of the register. Each bit of register 400 maybe stored in a latch or flip-flop circuit, each of which may designed inaccordance with one of various design styles. For example, in someembodiments, each data bit of register 400 may be stored in a dynamiclatch circuit.

In the illustrated embodiment, register 400 includes data fields 401through 404. Each data field of data fields 401 through 404 may beconfigured to store a different type of data. For example, data field404 may be configured to a latency number and data field 403 may beconfigured to store a scale factor. It is noted that in the illustratedembodiment, data fields 401 and 402 are not used, although in otherembodiments, data fields 401 and 402 may be employed to store data. Insome embodiments, a latency number may be a positive integer rangingfrom 0 to 9. The latency number may be encoded in a binary format andthe resultant bits may be stored in the respective bits of register 400that are included in data field 404.

In some embodiments, the scale factor may be encoded as a 3-bit binarynumber and stored in register bits corresponding to data field 403. Theencoded number may, in various embodiments, correspond to a differenttime values, such as, e.g., 1 nanosecond. In other embodiments, allpossible 3-bit binary encoding may not be used and such values may bedisallowed.

The contents of register 400 may be set by a series of programinstructions executed by a processor such as, e.g., process 201 ofcomputing system 200 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The program instructionsmay be executed during an initial setup phase of the computing system,or any other suitable configuration period. Once values have been loadedin register 400 by the execution of the program instructions, theprocessor may use the latency number and scale factor to determine alatency threshold. The latency threshold may, in some embodiments, beused to determine if certain power savings measures, such as, e.g.,disabling a clock signal, may be enabled.

It is noted that the register illustrated in FIG. 4 is merely anexample. In other embodiments, different numbers of fields and differentbit width for each field may be employed.

Another embodiment of a computing system is illustrated in FIG. 5. Inthe illustrated embodiment, computing system 500 includes device 501 anddevice 502. Device 501 includes logic block 503, interface unit 504,control circuit 505, and clock generator unit 506. Device 502 includeslogic block 508, interface unit 507, control circuit 510, and clock unit509. Interface unit 504 is coupled to interface unit 507 viacommunication bus 511, and clock generator unit 506 is coupled to unit509 via interface clock signal 512 and system clock signal 513.

In some embodiments, logic blocks 503 and 508 may be designed inaccordance with one of various design styles. Logic blocks 503 and 508may, in some embodiments, include general purpose processors configuredto execute program instructions stored in a memory. In otherembodiments, logic blocks 503 and 508 may include application specificstate machines or sequential logic circuits configured to performdedicated tasks. Logic block 503 may receive a clock signal from clockgenerator unit 506, and logic block 508 may receive internal clocksignal 515 from clock unit 509. In some embodiments, clock unit 509 maygenerate internal clock signal 515 using system clock 513 as a timingreference. Logic block 508 may, in other embodiments, directly usesystem clock 513 as a timing reference.

Interface units 504 and 507 may, in various embodiments, be configuredto transmit and receive message via a communication bus, such as, e.g.,communication bus 511. In some embodiments, interface units 504 and 507may encode messages internal to devices 501 and 502, respectively, intoa format compatible with a communication protocol employed bycommunication bus 511. Interface units 504 and 507 may transmit databits across communication bus 511 using one of various transmissiontechniques. For example, interface units 504 and 507 may employdifferential signaling, where each data bit to be transmitted is encodedinto two data bits and transmitted using two wires. In some embodiments,interface unit 504 and interface unit 507 may operate at different powersupply voltage levels. In such cases, interface units 504 and 507 mayemploy voltage level translation circuits, amplifiers operating withdifferent bias voltage levels, or any other suitable level translationcircuit or method.

In some embodiments, additional signal wires (not shown) may be coupledbetween interface unit 504 and 507. Such signal wires may be used tosend and receive specific requests between devices 501 and 502. Forexample, device 502 may request activation of low power mode byasserting one of a set of dedicated signal wires.

Interface unit 507 may, in some embodiments, receive internal clocksignal 514 from unit 509. In some embodiments, clock unit 509 maygenerate internal clock signal 514 using interface clock 512 as a timingreference. Interface unit 508 may, in other embodiments, directly useinterface clock 512 as a timing reference.

Clock generator unit 506 may, in various embodiments, be configured togenerate one or more clock signals. In some embodiments, clock generatorunit 506 may include a crystal oscillator, voltage-controlleroscillator, or any other suitable oscillator circuit. Clock generatorunit 506 may also include a phase-locked loop (PLL), delay-locked loop(DLL), or any other suitable phase locking circuit. In variousembodiments, clock unit 506 may be configured to provide clock signalsto functional blocks internal to device 501. Additionally, clockgenerator unit 506 may also be configured to provide one or moreexternal clocks to other devices, such as, e.g., device 502. Externalclocks, such as, e.g., interface clock 512 and system clock 513, may beused directly by a receiving device, or the receiving device may use thereceived clock signal as a time reference for generator additional clocksignals, such as, internal clocks 514 and 515, for example. In variousembodiments, each external clock may have different frequencies, andclock generator unit 506 may be configured to disable or stop any givensubset of the external clocks. Although only two external clocks aredepicted in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, in other embodiments,additional external clocks signals operating at varying frequencies maybe employed.

Clock unit 509 may, in various embodiments, be configured to receive oneor more external clocks (also referred to herein as a “referenceclocks”) and generate a corresponding one or more internal clocksdependent upon the received reference clocks. In some embodiments, clockunit 509 may include a PLL, DLL, or any other suitable phase lockingcircuit. Clocks generated by clock unit 509, such as, e.g., internalclocks 514 and 515, may have varying frequencies dependent upon theneeds of various functional blocks within a given device, such as device502, for example. Clock unit 509 may, in some embodiments, be configuredto stop the generation of internal clocks in response to control signalsgenerated by a control circuit, such as, e.g., control circuit 510, orin response to the deactivation of a reference clock signal.

Control circuit 505 may be configured to monitor overall systemperformance and determine if requests for activation of low power modeswithin other devices can be granted. In some embodiments, controlcircuit 505 may receive such requests, as well as latency information,from an interface unit, such as, e.g., interface unit 504, coupled to acommunication bus. Control circuit 505 may, in various embodiments, senda message to one or more external devices, acknowledging requests forlow power mode activation. In some embodiments, control circuit 505 maybe implemented as a general purpose processor configured to executeprogram instructions stored in a memory, while in other embodiments,control circuit 505 may be implemented as a dedicated state machine orsequential logic circuit.

In some embodiments, control circuit 510 may be configured to monitor alevel of activity within device 502. Dependent upon the level ofactivity, control circuit 510 may, in some embodiments, send a messageto another or host device, indicating that device 502 is idle, and thata low power mode may be activated. Such a message may be sent viacommunication bus 511 or through the use of dedicated signal wirescoupled between devices 501 and 502. In some embodiments, the low powermode may include deactivating one or more functional blocks, such as,e.g., interface unit 507, within device 502. The functional blocks maybe deactivated by stopping a clock signal (generated by clock unit 509),or by reducing a voltage level of an internal power supply to a voltageinsufficient for the functional blocks to operate.

Control circuit 510 may, in other embodiments, send messages to anotheror host device indicating the latency, i.e., the time device 502 willrequire to resume operation after the low power mode has been activated.In some embodiments, different low power modes may be possible, anddevice 502 may require a different amount of time to resume normaloperation from each of the various low power modes.

It is noted that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 is merely anexample. In other embodiments, different numbers of devices, anddifferent internal configurations of devices are possible andcontemplated.

A flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method activating low powermodes of a computing system is illustrated in FIG. 6. Referringcollectively to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6, and the embodimentof a computing system illustrated in FIG. 5, the method begins in block601.

Device 502 may then send a latency value to device 501 (block 602). Insome embodiments, the latency value may be sent as a message viacommunication bus 511 by interface unit 507. The message may include, invarious embodiments, a latency value and a scale value, and controlcircuit 505 may multiply the received latency value by the scale valueand employ the resulting product in further calculations anddeterminations. In various embodiments, control circuit 510 maydetermine the latency value dependent upon a level of activity of device502.

Control circuit 510 may then request the activation of a low power modeof device 502 (block 603). In some embodiments, control circuit 510 maysend a message to device 501 via communication bus 511, requesting theactivation of a low power mode. In other embodiments, a dedicated signalwire may be used to make the request. Multiple low power modes may beavailable, and the selection of low power mode may dependent on apreviously sent latency value. The method may then depend on whethercomputing system 500, and more particularly device 501, determines therequest for activation of the low power mode is acceptable (block 604).

When device 501 determines that device 502 may not activate a low powermode, device 502 may continue to submit requests for activation of thelow power mode (block 603). Control circuit 505 may, in variousembodiments, determine if the request for activation of the low powermode is acceptable may check activity of computing system 500. In someembodiments, pending instructions or tasks may be evaluated to determineif computing resources provided by device 502 are required to completeany pending instructions or tasks.

When control circuit 505 determines that it is acceptable that device502 enter low power mode, the method may then depend on the previouslysent latency value (block 605). When the latency value is less than afirst threshold value, the method may conclude in block 609. When thelatency value is greater than the first threshold value, the method maydepend on a comparison of the latency value to a second threshold value(block 606). In some embodiments, the second threshold value may begreater than the first threshold value.

When the latency value is less than a second threshold value, a firstlow power mode may be activated (block 607). In some embodiments, thefirst low power mode may include disabling or stopping an interfaceclock, such as, e.g., interface clock 512 of system 500 as illustratedin FIG. 5. Clock unit 509 may, in various embodiments, disable or stopinternal clock 514 in response to interface clock 512 being disabled. Insome embodiments, the disabling of internal clock 514 may reduce thepower consumption of interface unit 507, and therefore the powerconsumption of device 502. Once the first low power mode has beenactivated, the method may conclude in block 609.

Each of the first threshold value and the second threshold value may bestored in respective registers in device 501. The registers may, in someembodiments, include multiple data fields such as those depicted inregister 400 as illustrated in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, controlcircuit 505 may retrieve a threshold number and a threshold scale factorfrom a register (not shown) and multiply the retrieved values todetermine the a threshold value. Control circuit 505, or any othersuitable logic circuit, executing program instructions stored in amemory, may initially set values stored in the register. The firstthreshold value and the second threshold value may, in variousembodiments, be dependent upon one or more operating conditions of acomputing system, such as, e.g., a level of activity.

When the latency value is greater than the second threshold, a secondlow power mode may be activated (block 608). In some embodiments, device502 may consume less power while operating in the second low power modethan when operating in the first low power mode. In response to theactivation of the second low power mode, clock unit 506 may disable orstop both interface clock 512 and system clock 513. Clock unit 509 maydisable or stop internal clocks 514 and 515 responsive to the disablingof interface clock 512 and system clock 513. In some embodiments,disabling both internal clock 514 and internal clock 515 may reduce thepower consumption of both interface unit 507 and logic block 508,thereby reducing the power consumption of device 502. In otherembodiments, voltage levels of power supplies coupled to interface unit507 and logic block 508 may be selectably reduced, thereby reduce thepower consumption of device 502. The voltage levels may, in variousembodiments, be lowered in lieu of disabling interface clock 512 andsystem clock 513, or in conjunction with disabling interface clock 512and system clock 513 to further reduce the power consumption of device502. Once the second low power mode has been activated, the method mayconclude in block 609.

It is noted that some of the operations of the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 6 are depicted as being performed in a sequential fashion. In otherembodiments, one or more of the operations may be performed in parallel.

Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It isintended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all suchvariations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus coupled to a communication bus,wherein the apparatus comprises: one or more functional blocks; and acontrol circuit configured to: monitor a level of activity; send amessage on the communication bus dependent upon the level of activity,wherein the message includes data indicative of a time to resumeoperation after activation of a low power mode; and activate the lowerpower mode dependent upon a response to the message.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein to activate the low power mode, the control circuit isfurther configured to reduce a voltage level of a power supply coupledto at least one of the one or more functional blocks.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising a clock generation circuit configured togenerate at least one clock signal, wherein the clock signal is coupledto at least one of the one or more functional blocks, and wherein toactivate the low power mode, the control circuit is further configuredto deactivate the at least one clock signal.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the data indicative of the time to resume operation afteractivation of the low power mode includes a scale value.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising an interface unit coupled tothe communication bus, and wherein to activate the low power mode, thecontrol circuit is further configured to deactivate the interface unit.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clock generation circuitincludes a phase-locked loop (PLL).
 7. A method for operating acomputing system including one or more functional blocks, the methodcomprising: monitoring a level of activity of the computing system;sending a message on a communication bus dependent upon the level ofactivity, wherein the message includes data indicative of a time toresume operation after activation of a low power mode; activate thelower power mode dependent upon a response to the message.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein activating the low power mode includes reducing avoltage level of a power supply coupled to at least one of the one ormore functional blocks.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein activating thelow power mode includes deactivating at least one clock signal, whereinthe at least one clock signal is coupled to at least one of the one ormore functional blocks.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the dataindicative of the time to resume operation after activation of the lowpower mode includes a scale value.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising determining the response dependent upon a product of the dataindicative of the time to resume operation and the scale value.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising comparing the product of the dataindicative of a time to resume operation and the scale value to apredetermined threshold value.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein toactivating the low power mode includes deactivating an interface unitincluded in the computing system.
 14. A system, comprising: a host; anda device configured to: monitor a level of activity; send a message tothe host dependent upon the level of activity, wherein the messageincludes data indicative of a time to resume operation after activationof a low power mode; and activate the lower power mode dependent upon aresponse to the message received from the host.
 15. The system of claim14, wherein the device includes one or more functional blocks, andwherein to activate the low power mode, the device is further configuredto reduce a voltage level of a power supply coupled to at least one ofthe one or more functional blocks.
 16. The system of claim 14, whereinthe device includes one or more functional blocks, wherein a given oneof the one or more functional blocks includes a clock generation circuitconfigured to generate at least one clock signal, wherein the clocksignal is coupled to at least one of the one or more functional blocks,and wherein to activate the low power mode, the device is furtherconfigured to deactivate the at least one clock signal.
 17. The systemof claim 16, wherein the clock generation circuit includes aphase-locked loop (PLL).
 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the dataindicative of the time to resume operation after activation of the lowpower mode includes a scale value.
 19. The system of claim 14, whereinthe device is coupled to the host via a communication bus, wherein thedevice includes an interface unit coupled to the communication bus, andwherein to activate the low power mode, the device is further configuredto deactivate the interface unit.
 20. The system of claim 14, whereinthe host is configured to message dependent upon the data indicative ofthe time to resume operation after activation of the low power mode andthe scale value.